KUWAIT CITY, Oct 28: In conjunction with the issuance of the Council of Ministers’ decision regarding the regulation for Kuwaitization of government contracts, and in confirmation of what Al-Seyassah published in its issue on August 18 regarding developing an integrated program to review public sector salaries known as the “strategic alternative,” the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance Aseel Al-Munaifirevealed a study that the ministry is currently preparing with the cooperation of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to approve a “special increase” for workers in the government sector.

In a special press statement to Al-Seyassah, Al-Munaifi said, “The study on the “special increase” came under the directives of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Al-Nawaf to improve the standard of living of citizens. The concept was discussed with CSC and is in its final stages, and will be submitted to the Council of Ministers soon. The expected step is also part of a series of decisions that were recently issued in which the Ministry of Finance participated and whose financial cost was approved, including disbursing labor support for micro-activities or activities of a special nature and continuing to disburse labor support to the patient and the patient’s companions working in the private sector during overseas medical treatment trip. It will also be disbursed to scholarship students from the private sector to complete their studies or training, in addition to agreeing to postpone loan installments for small and medium enterprise owners financed by the National Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises Development for a period of six months.

On a related level, Al-Munaifi reported that there are efforts being made by the Subsidies Committee with the aim of rationalizing subsidies and directing them to those who are deserving. She explained that the study is specifically related to subsidies for diesel and kerosene, and when it is completed, it will be submitted to the Council of Ministers to issue a decision. The matter comes in the context of studying the development of non-oil revenues and rationalizing the state’s general budget. Meanwhile, the Government Communication Center announced the approval of the Council of Ministers of a draft decision for obligating public entities to include the provisions of the Kuwaitization of government contracts regulations among the contracting requirements.

Through its account on the X platform, the center said, “The step was based on a letter from the Chairman of the National Demographics Committee, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Talal Al-Khalid. The regulation aims to create more job opportunities for national cadres to work for government contractors gain practical experience and develop technical skills while achieving continuity, development, and transition between contracts. The benefits of the government contracts list include a wage scale starting at KD 450 per month for a recent university graduate, health insurance for the worker and his family, a social allowance (employment support), and an annual increase ranging from KD 20 for the recipient of a “Very Good” rating and KD 30 for the recipient of a “Excellent” grade, in addition to a 40-day paid annual vacation, and an annual bonus.”

By Abdul Rahman Al-Shammari
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff